USPS UNIQUE ZIP CODE DECISION

Residents Association of Greater Lake Mathews

In defense of my life-long reputation for being a brilliant woman (lol), when I first posted about the response from the Post Office regarding our zip code change request, I typed that I was thrilled about now being part of the "city" of Lake Mathews. I did not mean to imply that Lake Mathews was now a city, or anything different from what it has been, which is why I put it in quotes. I am sorry if I mislead anyone through the use of quotes.

1. "City" of Lake Mathews - With this letter from the USPS, we are not a "City" as this was never our goal with this process. We are still a rural community. However the post office will now except our mail with the name Lake Mathews on it. Many have stated this was a problem in the past so this should address that problem.

2. Google and Other Databases - The letter states that our designated area has been updated in their Address Management System. This does not mean that it automatically will update all of the databases used by private companies. This will more than likely take some time for those companies to update their databases as they see fit.

3. Acceptance of the Name - While it is a step in the right direction, since we are not officially a "city" nor do we have our own unique zip code, it is highly likely that many companies such as insurance etc. will continue to refer to us as Perris. Our closest area to compare to is Woodcrest. They have been granted their own unique zip code yet they are not a "city". When you type in Woodcrest, CA in Google it comes up as it's own outlined area. This may be due to the unique zip code but may also be due to the name recognition. Only time will tell to see if the same happens for us as I am unsure of how these individual databases read and display data.

4. Where are the lines drawn - As the letter itself does not show specific lines in which the newly USPS recognized area will be, we are unable to determine what the USPS is allowing for "Lake Mathews" at this time. RAGLM will be requesting further information to clarify this and we are hoping they have granted this to the map boundaries we had submitted with our request. We will update you as soon as we have a better answer on this one. Yes the 92570 zip code does stretch to the 215 as that is where the City of Perris is as well as the unincorporated communities in the zip code. Since we were not granted our own unique zip code, we are still part of the 92570 zip code at this time.

All,
Thank you for the input. I do understand that there are some questions here. I will address them tomorrow as there are more than one and I will be spending this Thanksgiving day with my family. I may get to them this evening but I will definitly address them by tomorrow. Thanks for the patience and also the input.

As much as I want the change from using the Perris name, that letter does not make a lot of sense. Have you googled the map of 92570 area code. It goes all the way to the 215 freeway and takes in most of the 74. Covers into the actual city of Perris. We are not a city, so we can't be the CITY of Lake Mathews. The other side of the Lake is actually classified as Lake Mathews when you are looking for homes on the MLS, just not this side. Still comes up as Perris when you want to list or buy a home. You can say Lake Mathews but the tax records deems you as Perris. :( The letter states they have updated the address management system database to reflect Lake Mathews community to be identified and recognized for mailing purposes. Where do they draw the lines at. Again it is mailing purposes only and does not change anything on the tax records. I am very happy that it is a start in the right direction, I just wish it was a little bit more clear.
Perhaps Nathan could get them to provide a map of the area that can now be used as a Lake Mathews mailing area for us. He has done a great job so far. Paula

At the snap of the fingers the world has changed. Never again will a service provider be unable to find me. Funny about that, I've always used "Lake Mathews" as my city address - since 1994. Did I just move somewhere else or am I still where I was last week? I'll have to Google it to find out.

I'm sorry. Must have missed something. Is the zip code not still 92570- Perris? Oh, I get it. It's now Lake Mathews - like it's always been if you chose to label your mail as such for the last 20 years. Funny how some find victory in so little.

Well, we are not the "City" of Lake Mathews. We are still the community of Lake Mathews. But, this puts us just one more step out front to being something the county can not turn its head away from and act like we are just some unknown, rural community. This is one more step in making ourselves known, seen and heard. We cannot afford to become a city, by the regulations set by the state and Federal Gov. That is one of the reasons our COI was taken down by the county and only three were allowed to move forward. But, just because they took away out title as a COK, they could not take away our community pride. We told them we would continue on, and so we have. Now the U.S. Postal Service knows who and where this community is.

I have used Gavilan Hills since we moved her 10 years ago. Gavilan Hills is on my drivers license and my mail goes out with a Gavilan Hills return address. Credit card companies and insurance companies are the only ones that refuse to change it from Perris. Our insurance rates are still going to be based on the zip which is Perris. Thanks to everyone who worked so hard!!!

Just so I am clear...anyone who previously used Perris and the zip of 92570 should continue to use the zip code but now can put Lake Mathews as the city? *but they will accept it if someone chooses to continue putting Perris as the city?

I'll take "Lake Mathews" over Perris ANY DAY! I had to fight with the DMV and they wouldn't because we were listed as Perris. I will be taking a copy of this letter to the DMV with me and trying once again to get Perris OFF of my drivers lic. I don't live in Perris and I do not want people to think I live in Perris and I do not want to be forced to use a city I do not live in. So, I welcome the ability to now use and be recognized as being in Lake Mathews. I have always used Gavilan Hills or Gavilan Hills/Perris on my mail and anything that asked for my address. I will now start using Lake Mathews.
Cindy Ferry

We got our response from the USPS. It looks like we got half of what we were asking for. Unfortunately we were unable to obtain our own unique postal zip code. Please see the attached letter sent from the USPS for a full detail of reasons.